Buying a Home in a Caribbean Paradise Can Get You a Passport? The Allure and Risks of Citizenship by Investment

1. The Shocking "Buy a House, Get a Passport"

On the turquoise blue shores of the Caribbean—those elegant villas are actually the key to **"another nationality". The BBC reported on the rapid expansion of this real estate-based CBI**, titled "Islands where buying a home comes with a passport." The minimum investment is about $200,000, and within a few months, "citizenship" that surpasses permanent residency is issued. 

2. Comparing Conditions of 5 Countries

Source: Ainvest, Wikipedia, etc. AInvestWikipediamalta-citizenship.info

3. Why Applications Are Flooding In Now

• Political Backup: Division in U.S. society and debates on taxing the wealthy

• Freedom of Movement: Visa exemption to over 150 countries, including the Schengen Area and the UK

• Tax System: Zero income, inheritance, and capital gains tax on many islands

• Family Inclusion: Citizenship can be obtained for children and parents as well

A real estate agent in Antigua says, "Inquiries have tripled from the previous year."

4. Enthusiasm and Skepticism on Social Media

On X, influencer Alex Recouso

posted, **"The end of the golden passport. No-show citizens to end with 30-day stay requirement,"** garnering 12,000 likes. citizenx.com

Meanwhile, a U.S. VC investor commented, "If you can't go to the EU, its value is halved," but added, "It's still worth having as a Plan B."

5. EU and U.S. Pressure and the "30-Day Rule"

In March 2025, the EU Parliamenthighlighted issues with "citizenship without substance" and suggested suspending visa exemptions. The OECD and FATF also warned against money laundering and sanction evasion. In response, the five Caribbean countries steered towards mandating "a cumulative 30-day stay within five years of acquisition plus a civic education program" in the draft EC CIRA Agreement in July. citizenx.comWikipediaWinn Media

Investors whisper about a scenario of "rush demand → temporary bubble → slowdown in applications," but local governments emphasize that "improving program reliability will be a long-term positive."

6. Weighing Risks and Returns

The precedent of the EU completely suspending visa exemptions for Vanuatu in 2024 shows that the program is always exposed to political risks.

7. Future Outlook—Towards a "Time to Really Visit the Island"

The 30-day stay requirement aims at "tourism attraction" and "creating genuine communities." Local developers have begun proposing long-term residence options with **“citizenship concierge”** services. Investments are being pushed to shift from "paper passports" to "real Caribbean life."

Conclusion

Caribbean CBI was the ultimate financial product of **"nationality for purchase."** However, with increasing international pressure, it is shifting towards demanding "residential substance."If you're in a hurry to obtain a passport, now is the last call, but those who can enjoy the "value of staying" even after system revisions will be the true winners.

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